Endocrinologist Knowledge Drives Better Diabetes Care
Patients with type 2 diabetes may see more up-to-date prescribing patterns from doctors who regularly update their clinical knowledge.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Diabetes
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A study of 177,284 Medicare beneficiaries found that endocrinologists with higher scores on professional assessments were more likely to adopt updated diabetes treatment guidelines between 2017 and 2022. This shift primarily affected the use of newer cardiovascular and kidney-protective medications for patients with type 2 diabetes.
Why it matters
Updating clinical practices to match new guidelines is critical for managing type 2 diabetes, as specific drug classes like SGLT2i are now recommended to reduce risks of cardiovascular and kidney complications. Understanding how physician knowledge impacts care adoption highlights the importance of ongoing professional development in treatment outcomes.
This retrospective analysis of Medicare claims data from 2017 to 2022 evaluated 1,061 endocrinologists and 177,284 beneficiaries. It found that top-quartile scorers on the Longitudinal Knowledge Assessment increased SGLT2i prescribing by over 30% more than bottom-quartile scorers.
The players
American Diabetes Association
A professional organization that sets clinical guidelines for the management and prevention of diabetes.
The details
The American Diabetes Association updated its Standards of Care in 2019 to prioritize SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 receptor agonists for high-risk patients. These medications work by helping the body manage blood glucose levels while simultaneously protecting the heart and kidneys from common diabetes-related damage. Researchers tracked how quickly endocrinologists integrated these specific recommendations into their daily clinical practice, finding a clear correlation between formal knowledge assessment performance and adherence to updated prescribing standards.
Timeline
2017: Beginning of the Medicare claims data analysis period.
2018: Baseline year for comparing prescribing changes.
2019: American Diabetes Association updated its Standards of Care.
2022: End of the study period evaluating prescribing trends.
Health Landscape
The study reflects a broader effort to close the gap between clinical research and daily practice after the release of the American Diabetes Association Standards of Care. It emphasizes how professional knowledge assessments serve as a benchmark for the adoption of evidence-based medical treatments.
If you have type 2 diabetes, you may want to ask your endocrinologist how recent guideline updates regarding cardiovascular and kidney-protective medications apply to your care plan. It is also helpful to discuss if newer drug classes are appropriate for your specific health goals and medical history.
The takeaway
Clinician knowledge remains a key driver in how quickly patients benefit from life-saving medical advances for chronic conditions. Consider keeping a list of your current medications and asking your doctor during your next visit if your treatment plan reflects the most current clinical standards.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest Diabetes management protocols and research findings.
More information
Read the full study on diabetes prescribing patterns published in JAMA Network Open.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News-Medical.
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